According to state law, students who are not in compliance with
immunization requirements will not be allowed to attend school.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions on the new rules.

Meningococcal Vaccine Frequently
Asked Questions

Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the State of Missouri has added
a “meningococcal” vaccine requirement for all students entering eighth (8th) and twelfth (12th) grades.
8th grade: 1 dose required (must have been administered after the age
of 10)

12th grade: Two (2) doses are required unless the first dose was
given at age 16 or older. Then only one (1) dose is required.

FAQ

Q: What is the Meningococcal disease?

A: Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause
of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord.

Q: If my child had the vaccine before the age of 10, does it count for the
State of Missouri’s 8th or 12th grade requirement?

A: No, any meningococcal vaccine given before the age of 10 does not
count for the 8th or 12th grade requirement.

Q: What are the names and abbreviations of accepted meningococcal
vaccines?

Q: My child has had a meningococcal vaccine, but the vaccination record
I have only indicates “meningitis”. What do I do?

A: If the vaccine was given after the age of 10, you will need to ask your
child’s physician to give you a record that has the exact name of the
immunization to provide for the school. Since there are different types of
meningitis vaccines, your school nurse can only accept one of the vaccines
listed above. If you cannot verify the type of vaccine, your child will have
to get the MCV to meet the state requirement.

Q: Can I send my child’s immunization record to school during this school
year for the nurse to review to tell me if the immunizations are in
compliance with state law for 2016-17?

A: Yes, the nurse can review a student’s current immunizations so that you
can make plans for any needed immunizations.

Q: What if my student received one of the accepted vaccines before
turning ten?

A: The vaccination will have to be administered again. Only vaccines
administered after the student turns ten years old count toward the state’s
requirement.

Q: Why is a booster shot of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate
vaccine recommended for my teen?

A: Protection from a single dose of the vaccination declines in most teens
within 5 years. So, a second dose is needed at age 16 to boost teens’
protection during the ages when they are at highest risk of meningococcal
disease.